"Two years ago, Gayne C. Young, a Texas-based writer and blogger for Outdoor Life, scored the interview of a lifetime. As a beat writer, Young had enjoyed the outdoor exploits of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been documented shooting a gray whale with a crossbow, tranquilizing a tiger attacking a news crew, hunting shirtless, fishing shirtless, and riding horseback shirtless. On a personal level, Young liked the rugged brand of masculinity that seemed a throwback to Teddy Roosevelt. "Although you have Clinton shooting ducks, you never see it. Although Rick Perry says he enjoys hunting, you don't see it. They say they do, but they don't. Obama says he shoots skeet, but they only released one picture," Young says. "Here's a guy out there fishing, with no qualms. He's like, 'You don't like it? Tough.' Then he'd escalate and do more."His posts on Putin brought in great traffic, so his editor kept encouraging him to escalate. Soon, Young was declaring his "man crush" on the Russian president. ("I hate to use that word, especially on a hunting website," he admits.) He called the Russian consulate, flirted with the right secretary, and went through "hoop after hoop after hoop" until, one Friday, a press attaché called and told him the president wanted his questions in the next 20 minutes."

Mods, although this article has to do with a politician, it didn't seem political to me. Rather, it's about the admiration of Putin's supposed 'manliness' and sportmanship. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

Logged

"The Scots-Irish; Brewed in Scotland, bottled in Ireland, uncorked in America." ~Scots-Irish saying

I think it is the frustration of a large segment of the US population at their current politicians who have all been groomed and PRed to death so they all look so bland and similar. When you have someone with even the least little bit of personality, people latch on to them because they see something authentic, even if Putin's "authenticity" can be somewhat over the top.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who can watch the watchmen?"No one is paying attention to your post reports"Why do posters that claim to have me blocked keep sending me pms and responding to my posts? That makes no sense.

I think it is the frustration of a large segment of the US population at their current politicians who have all been groomed and PRed to death so they all look so bland and similar. When you have someone with even the least little bit of personality, people latch on to them because they see something authentic, even if Putin's "authenticity" can be somewhat over the top.

In Denmark, we had a tv-show where the two hosts, as a result of their deep deep admiration for Putin's various "tough guy" stunts, decided to travel to Russia and do all the crazy things Putin has done.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who can watch the watchmen?"No one is paying attention to your post reports"Why do posters that claim to have me blocked keep sending me pms and responding to my posts? That makes no sense.

Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.—St. Isaac of Syria

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who can watch the watchmen?"No one is paying attention to your post reports"Why do posters that claim to have me blocked keep sending me pms and responding to my posts? That makes no sense.

I think it is the frustration of a large segment of the US population at their current politicians who have all been groomed and PRed to death so they all look so bland and similar. When you have someone with even the least little bit of personality, people latch on to them because they see something authentic, even if Putin's "authenticity" can be somewhat over the top.

I think you've hit on something here. When a political vacuum is created something or someone will fill the void. Its obvious the US is frustrated and bored by the current list of so-called back biting and faux leaders who are lukewarm at best and are looking anywhere for some symbol of strong leadership.........IMHO

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.—St. Isaac of Syria

In Denmark, we had a tv-show where the two hosts, as a result of their deep deep admiration for Putin's various "tough guy" stunts, decided to travel to Russia and do all the crazy things Putin has done.

...you can imagine so-called healing services of the pigpen. The books that could be written, you know: Life in the Pigpen. How to Cope in the Pigpen. Being Happy in the Pigpen. Surviving in the Pigpen. And then there could be counselling, for people who feel unhappy in the pigpen, to try to get them to come to terms with the pigpen, and to accept the pigpen.